Law Society responds to Cameron’s call to scrap Human Rights Act

The Law Society stands by its initial response to the proposed bill of rights in 2011: the Human Rights Act should be retained, not replaced.

The Conservative’s suggested bill of rights would be an unnecessary duplication and complication in the protection of human rights.

The Human Rights Act already provides an effective safeguard for fundamental rights as well as preserving parliamentary sovereignty.

Law Society president Andrew Caplen has said:

’The Human Rights Act ensures that the rights included in the European Convention on Human Rights are enshrined in UK law. The convention was established following the Second World War to protect the rights of the people, over the powers of governments.

‘The Law Society is proud of the protection that the Human Rights Act provides, of Britain’s role in the creation of an EU-wide Court of Human Rights, and of the decisions that have been made there. We should promote the existing act, not replace it.’

- See more at: http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/news/stories/law-society-responds-to-camerons-call-to-scrap-human-rights-act/#sthash.Fkxdp5Vi.dpuf

Writing in the Times today, Nick Fluck, President of the Law Society is joined by Sir Nicolas Bratza (former President of the ECtHR), calling on us to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights which will be tomorrow.

The Law Society represents solicitors in England and Wales. From negotiating with and lobbying the profession’s regulators, government and others, to offering training and advice, we’re here to help, protect and promote solicitors across England and Wales.